Tuscaloosa police officer shot and killed man who tried to assault him

A Tuscaloosa police officer shot and killed a man who attempted to assault the officer, according to a Tuscaloosa Police Department news release.

The officer responded to an assault call at the Chateau Apartments on the 3400 block of East University Boulevard around 6 p.m.

An "altercation ensued" when the officer made contact with the suspect, a 50-year-old white male, the release said.

"The officer deployed his taser, but it was not effective in stopping the suspect's assault," the release said. "The altercation ensued, and at this point, the officer drew his firearm, fired and struck the suspect. The suspect died on the scene."

The officer was treated at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa for minor injuries.

"As with all death investigations, the Tuscaloosa County Homicide Unit was contacted, and they are conducting an investigation into the shooting," the release said. "It will be handled by investigators from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office independent from the Tuscaloosa Police Department."

Multiple officials from the Tuscaloosa Police Department were unable to be reached by phone Thursday night.